Waterton trail featured on jar of breakfast spread

Posted on October 3, 2024 by admin

By Delon Shurtz
Southern Alberta Newspapers

Hiking trails in Waterton Lakes National Park have been featured in a number of publications over the years, but never on a jar of breakfast spread.

Until now.

The manufacturer of Nutella, a popular hazelnut spread that can probably be found in most households in Alberta, not to mention around the world, features the Carthew-Alderson trail on its label. The photo was put on the jar for Ferrero Canada’s Savour the Beauty of Canada campaign, which highlights 12 other locations across the country, as well.

“This is the second year for Savour the Beauty of Canada with Nutella, which was originally adapted from a Global brand campaign,” says senior brand manager Claire Robbins.

“The campaign is meant to encourage Canadians to explore Canada’s beauty while discovering new ways to enjoy Nutella. While last year’s campaign focused on well-known iconic Canadian destinations, this summer our 13 limited edition jars showcase our country’s hidden gems – places which are off the beaten path – pairing them with regional recipes that capture the places’ uniqueness.”

The Carthew-Alderson trail is about 20 kilometres long, and extends between the Waterton town site and Cameron Lake. Although the photo on the jar of Nutella only shows the two Carthew lakes, the hike also includes Alderson Lake, tucked below the towering cliffs of Mount Alderson, and Summit Lake just above Cameron Lake.

Hikers can begin from the townsite or from Cameron Lake. From the townsite the hike is a relentless climb until reaching a ridge of Carthew Mountain, then crossing over and descending to Summit Lake.

Starting from Cameron Lake is generally the preferred route. The trail follows several switchbacks up to Summit Lake, with incredible views of Cameron Lake below. After reaching Summit Lake, the trail turns and continues through the forest until it breaks out of the tree line and continues to ascend a steep shale path until reaching the ridge and a view of Carthew Lakes far below on the other side.

The rest, as they say, is all downhill from there.

Robbins says choosing the locations for the campaign were based on several factors, including the various locations’ natural beauty, cultural significance and even the unique “culinary inspiration” they offer.

“The Carthew-Alderson trail in Waterton was chosen for its stunning vistas and unique geological features,” Robbins says. “This trail offers hikers a breathtaking journey through diverse landscapes, from alpine meadows to rugged mountain terrain. Its selection highlights the hidden-gem aspect of the campaign, showcasing a trail that might not be as well-known but offers unparalleled beauty and adventure.”

Robbins points out the idea for the first campaign was borne out of the pandemic, when people were travelling less and finding other ways to discover their country and new cuisine.

“It was the perfect opportunity to help Canadians learn more about their country and its beautiful landscapes, while sharing in local and regional culinary delights made with Nutella.

“Nutella is made in Canada, and our jars provide the perfect canvas to savour Canada’s beauty. By featuring these landscapes on our jars, we hope to celebrate Canada’s natural heritage and foster a sense of pride and exploration among Canadians.”

The other locations featured on the jars comprise Garibaldi Lake, British Columbia, known for its striking turquoise water and mountainous backdrop; Pisew Falls, Manitoba.; Musquash Lighthouse on the rugged coast of New Brunswick; Skerwink Trail in Newfoundland; Cameron Falls in Northwest Territories; Blue Rocks in Nova Scotia, known for striking rock formations and fishing shacks; Baffin Island in Nunavut; Cheltenham Badlands in Ontario; Thunder Cove Beach on Prince Edward Island, famous for its red sandstone cliffs; Castle Butte in Saskatchewan; Carcross Desert in Yukon, often referred to as the world’s smallest desert; and Isle-Aux-Grues in Quebec.

“We are incredibly proud of the Savour the Beauty of Canada campaign and the opportunity it provides to celebrate our country while finding new ways to enjoy Nutella at the breakfast table or any time of day,” Robbins says. “We hope it inspires Canadians to explore their country and to savour the beauty it has to offer.”